86 The Wilson Bulletin — No. 108 



sides. This contrasted strongly with a nearby colony of 

 Common Terns that became qniet as soon as darkness fell. 



The yonng when hatched are so near the color of the 

 sand that they are almost invisible and when walking 

 about in a colony one must exercise great care to avoid 

 stepping upon them. Their instinct tells them that their 

 safety lies in remaining motionless, and they will lie quietly 

 upon the sand with neck far outstretched and not move 

 unless disturbed, when they scuttle away with long slen- 

 der wings outstretched and with surprising speed. 



When first hatched, both the upper and lower bills are 

 of the same length, but by the time they are beginning to 

 feather out, the lower bill begins to get longer, and by the 

 time the bird is flying, it is much the longer. 



Some authorities maintain that the lower bill does not 

 become longer than the upper until the birds are able to 

 fly. This we found to be untrue. 



As with most birds, the Black Skimmer becomes much 

 bolder when there are young birds, and charges upon the 

 intruder in immense flocks, with open mouths and deafen- 

 ing cries, but the flock swings to one side when close to the 

 object of attack, and I have never heard of any one being 

 struck. 



The food seems to consist mainly of small minnows 

 and killifishes. 'None of these are obtainable nearer than 

 at least two miles from the island, and small parties may 

 be seen far from home, industriously skimming the water, 

 searching for food, and are often encountered flying toward 

 the island with small minnows carried crosswise in their 

 bills. They have the habit of skimming close to the sur- 

 face of the sand or of mud in the same manner as when 

 over the water. 



The local names of " Cutwater " and '' Shearwater " of 

 course apply to their habit of skinnning, but 1 am at a loss 

 to account for the name of " Flood Gull." 



While observing and photograpliing from a blind in 

 the midst of a Black Skimmer colony, .June, 11)17, 1 could 



